Sangamon County Clerk Don Gray announces early voting office hours through March 19th

Sangamon County Clerk Don Gray, said the “early voting center” in the clerk’s office (Room 101) of the Sangamon County Complex, has been set up to accommodate more voters than in the past during the early voting period. In-person early voting hours at the office already started and are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through March 9. The hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 12-16 and March 19. Weekend hours for early voting at the office include: 9 a.m. to noon March 3 and 10; 10 a.m to 4 p.m. March 11 and 18; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 17.

To vote early, a person must be a registered voter. They can register at the office, and to do so, two forms of identification, including one with the person’s current address, are needed. Online voter registration also is available via the office website. Learn more about voting, and how to register or early vote at https://www.sangamoncountyclerk.com

Election Day hours at polling places on March 20 will be as in the past — 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Learn more about the 2018 Election, and the races that matter in Central Illinois at our ELECTION HEADQUARTERS page.

Springfield Daily is a local news, sports, entertainment, politics site with live streams and video content. Our Staff Contributors create, post, and curate content on a regular basis. For questions or comments regarding our stories, email us at: contact@SpringfieldDaily.com

Illinois Constitution Party Selects William J. Kelly for Governor

Last Saturday, the Illinois Constitution Party met in northwest Chicago for their annual state convention. The main order of business was to pick nominees for governor and lieutenant governor. William J. Kelly was nominated for governor and Chad Koppie was nominated for lieutenant governor.

Kelly previously announced his intent to run as a Republican, but ultimately decided not to. Kelly ran for Comptroller in the 2010 Republican primary. He finished second, behind Judy Baar Topinka and ahead of Jim Dodge (this year’s sole Republican treasurer candidate).

Chad Koppie has also sought political office. In 2016, he ran as the Constitution Party’s write-in candidate for U.S. Senate.

Kelly’s announcement to run for governor came as a shock to some people following the Constitution Party. Prior to his announcement, it was assumed that Randy Stufflebeam was going to be the nominee. He announced his intent to run in late 2016, but changed his mind due to unforeseen circumstances. Stufflebeam ran as a write-in candidate for governor in 2006.

Kelly’s nomination was peculiar not just because of Stufflebeam’s decision to not run, but also because he was neither a member of the Illinois Constitution Party nor physically present at the convention. Despite the circumstances, he was nominated with a set of conditions.

He must become a member.

He must sign an affirmation or oath stating that he understands and will uphold the party’s platform.

He must give confirmation within 7 days of the convention.

On Thursday, the Illinois Constitution Party’s Facebook page put out the following statement.

THE CONSTITUTION PARTY OF ILLINOIS HAS NOMINATED WILLIAM J. KELLY TO BE ITS GOVERNOR CANDIDATE.

Chicago, Illinois – March 15, 2018 – Randy Stufflebeam, Chairman of the Constitution Party of Illinois, has issued the following statement regarding the race for Illinois Governor:

“Based on the latest polls, it looks like two billionaires – one Democrat and one Republican – are likely to win their parties’ nominations on March 20th. Are either of these candidates committed to a constitutional government or are they committed to corrupt government?” asked Stufflebeam. “The time is right for a candidate who is committed to the three pillars of Integrity, Liberty, & Prosperity and a constitutionally correct government and that candidate is William J. Kelly. He was born and raised in Illinois. William Kelly has demonstrated his passion for truth and has stood up over and over again against the corruption in both parties – Democrat and Republican. He is a proven fighter who has fought for Illinois taxpayers and their families for twenty years and he will continue to fight for all of us at the ballot box in November. The Constitution Party of Illinois is proud to nominate William J. Kelly as our candidate for Governor.”

“I am very proud and honored to be part of the Constitution Party of Illinois’ effort to rebuild Illinois and our country, state by state,” said William J. Kelly. “This year marks Illinois’ bicentennial and after 200 years, the two major parties have all but destroyed our State, but not our hopes and dreams. At a Chicago meeting in 1860, a little known third party nominated Abraham Lincoln to be its candidate for President. That third party was the Republican Party. Today, it’s time for a new third party and I am proud to be following in the footsteps of Illinois’ favorite son, President Abraham Lincoln.”

Chad Koppie has also been nominated to be Kelly’s running mate for Lt. Governor.

The Constitution Party is the fifth largest political party in the United States. It is a socially and fiscally conservative party that makes frequent mention of the Founding Fathers throughout its platform. Read more about the Constitution Party’s platform here.

The Illinois Constitution Party will need to collect 25,000 signatures to get on the ballot. Democrats and Republicans require just 5,000.

Pritzker hounded by reported tax evasion schemes in final debate before primary election

Illinois’ Democratic candidates for governor used their last public debate before the primary to pound front-runner J.B. Pritzker on his secret offshore tax holdings.

On the day of the Democrats’ final debate before the March 20 primary, the Chicago Tribune released an investigation showing another of Pritzker’s various offshore companies is working on purchasing land from the city of Chicago.

The billionaire heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune has been dodging Chicago Tribune reporters seeking a comment about newly discovered offshore holdings of his being tied to a potential purchase of land owned by the city of Chicago, according to the Tribune.

Throughout the debate hosted by WTTW’s Chicago Tonight, Pritzker repeated that any divestments from his Hyatt inheritance go to his philanthropic organizations, splitting the slight difference between a trust and a company.

“There were trusts created generations ago. I don’t receive any distributions from those trusts. Those distributions go to charity,” he said.

Records leaked from an offshore law firm that have become known as the Paradise Papers show Pritzker has formed offshore companies as recently as 2011.

The paper reports Moreau Capital Holdings Ltd., which is owned by Pritzker and was created in the Bahamas, is part of a deal with his brother, Robert, to purchase the riverfront land. They reportedly aim to sell duck boat tours out of the location. Pritzker said the paper was incorrect.

State Sen. Daniel Biss was the first to pounce.

“J.B. Pritzker set up companies offshore, probably to avoid taxes, and spent the entire last year lying about it,” Biss said.

Chris Kennedy, a Chicago businessman and son of the late Robert F. Kennedy, said Pritzker’s dishonesty should disqualify him.

“We’re interviewing for a job to be the next governor of the state of Illinois,” Kennedy said. “You should never hire someone who lies to you during a job interview because if they’ll lie to you to get the job, they’ll lie to you to keep the job.”

Pritzker and Kennedy went after Biss’ support for a pension reform bill that would eventually be shot down in the courts. Kennedy took heat over comments that were seen as supportive of taxing retirement income.

All three gave varying degrees of dissatisfaction with House Speaker Michael Madigan and his handling of an ongoing harassment allegations on his watch.

Illinois’ primary elections are Tuesday.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face either Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner or his GOP primary opponent, Rep. Jeanne Ives.

Article by Cole Lauterbach. For more Illinois News Network content, visit ILNews.orgImage courtesy of BlueRoomStream. Gubernatorial candidates J.B. Pritzker, Chris Kennedy and Daniel Biss participate in the last Democratic debate before the March 20 Primary Election.

Morgan County League of Women of Voters hold candidate forum in Jacksonville

Nearly all candidates in contested races in Morgan County came out to attend one of the last forums before the March 20th primary. They answered questions in a packed Jacksonville City Council chamber. Over 50 people were in attendance.

Of the nine candidates invited, only Rep. Darin LaHood was unable to attend. He is currently serving in Washington. The candidates who could make it included:

Donald Rients, a Republican running in the 18th Congressional District

Darrel Miller, a Democrat running in the 18th

Brian Deters, a Democrat running in the 18th

Junius Rodriguez, a Democrat running in the 18th

Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, a Republican running in the 100th Illinois House District

Jonas Petty, a Republican running in the 100th Illinois House District

Chris “CJ” Johnson, a Republican running for Morgan County Sheriff

Mike Carmody, a Republican running for Morgan County Sheriff

There were few surprises from any of the candidates on any of the questions. However there were some. Both Miller and Deters expressed pro-life sentiments for their personal views; but were pro-choice from a policy standpoint. On the same question about the sanctity of life, Petty said we need to get the root of the abortion issue, and supported better economic opportunities and sex education to reduce abortions.

Both Sheriff candidates also expressed concerns about body cameras. While they saw the utility, they spoke about how unclear the law is at this point. This includes protecting suspects’ and other individuals’ fourth and fifth amendment rights. Additionally, storing the footage and providing Freedom of Information Act access for the footage is far more expensive than the cameras themselves. But throughout the evening, both said their job was to enforce and follow the law, not to make policy.

All of the candidates opposed a mandate on arming teachers. Rients and Petty were open to the option, and Miller said it was a local issue, not a federal one. Johnson warned about the change of mindset that comes with carrying a firearm and distractions that would cause teachers. Carmody opposed a mandate, but said he would enforce it if it was a law.